22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal believes Roger Federer will definitely be missed at Wimbledon. Federer, 40, underwent knee surgery last August and hasn’t played since Wimbledon 2021.
Federer is an eight-time Wimbledon champion and a true All England Club icon. For the first time since 1998, Wimbledon takes place without Federer. Nadal, 36, was asked what it was like to play at Wimbledon without Federer.
“Well, that’s a negative thing,” Nadal said, according to Tennisbuzz. “But it’s life, it’s the circle of life, you know. Time passes, and the watch, the clock never stops.
You have to get used to this stuff. But from a personal point of view, of course, my personal relationship with Roger has always been great, and he’s probably my biggest rival.
At the same time, everything we’ve shared together on the court is something that’s hard to describe, the emotions, all those things. And of course I personally miss him on the tennis circuit, and of course he misses tennis, the tournaments, the fans, everyone wants to see him back.”
Nadal: We need Federer on a regular basis
Federer hasn’t played much tennis in the past two and a half years due to three knee surgeries.
After undergoing two knee surgeries in 2020, Federer made a comeback last year but only played in five tournaments before going under the knife again.
Nadal admitted that Federer’s presence is missed at Wimbledon but pointed out that the Swiss’s presence is also greatly missed at other big events. “No, no, you can’t create a story just about Wimbledon,” Nadal said.
“I think Roger Federer is important in every tournament. Not just at Wimbledon. He is a must player in all tennis events, no doubt” Latest reports suggest Federer is recovering well and should be ready to play the Laver Cup at the end of September.
